At the Kurosaki Estate, Ichigo had just informed Rukia, Karin, Yuzu, and Lirin, of Arupejio's disappearance. Toshiro, Rangiku, and Momo were there as well.

"It doesn't make any sense. Why would he run away like that? And where would he go?" Rukia asked as Ichigo shrugged.

"How should I know, he's your friend Rukia." Ichigo said as Rukia sighed.

"I know. Wait a minute, I might know where he went!" Rukia said as everyone arched an eyebrow.

"Where?" Yuzu asked.

"He said that his adopted sister still runs his adopted parent's old tea shop in the Fourteenth District of Rukongai, maybe he could have gone there to see his sister." Rukia said as Ichigo pondered.

"Do you know where this shop is?" Toshiro asked as Rukia nodded.

"Yes sir. I went with him once on my day off when we were in the Academy. We had a test and we were going to study together. I think Renji was busy then." Rukia explained.

"Going to his place to "study" huh?" Ichigo asked making air quotes. Rukia scowled at him in response.

"Ichigo stop being so overprotective. Besides nothing happened. And even if it did, it would have been years before we even met." Rukia argued as Momo and Rangiku nodded.

"Yeah Ichigo, give her some room. She doesn't belong to you ya know." Rangiku said as Ichigo sighed and nodded.

"You're right, you're right. I'm being a jerk. Sorry Rukia." Ichigo said as Rukia smirked with her hands on her hips.

"Ichigo Kurosaki, you just had a humble moment. I'm surprised." Rukia said.

"Well you don't have to be so smug about it." Ichigo replied.

"I wasn't being smug, I was just pointing out a fact." Rukia argued.

"You were taunting it!" Ichigo argued back.

"I was not!" Rukia argued, neither one of them noticing the unison sigh of frustration from the onlookers.

"You were too!" Ichigo argued.

"Not!"

"Too!"

"Not!"

"Too!"

"NOT!"

"TOO!"

"SHUT UP BOTH OF YOU!!!"

"What the-? Grimmjow?!" Ichigo asked surprised as he saw the Sexta Espada burst in between the two.

"(Ahem) we're here too Ichigo." Lilynette said from behind. Ichigo turned and saw each of the Arrancar, including Nel, emerging from a Garganta.

"Ah you've arrived." Toshiro said as the four Espada approached. Lilynette, Loly, and Menoly however quickly raced over to Karin.

"We decided that if Aizen is at Los Notches, that we should all be present. We would either live together or die together." Halibel said as the Espada nodded.

"Then I will inform Captain Soi Fon of your arrival." Toshiro said before he disappeared in a flash step.

"Hey, Karin, we heard Aizen cut you pretty bad. You okay?" Lilynette asked as Karin nodded.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Or at least I will be. I've got some good (ahem) Fraccion." Karin said with a smirk.

"You think of me as a Fraccion?" Yuzu asked curiously.

"I'm kidding Yuzu." Karin replied.

"Oh okay." Yuzu said with a smile.

"So what are you guys doing here?" Karin asked the three Arrancar.

"We're about to go help some Soul Reapers search our old home in Hueco Mundo. I'd offer to let you come along but I don't think it would do you any good in your condition." Lilynette replied as Karin sighed.

"I know. Just be sure to take some good pictures for me." Karin said as Menoly immediately whipped out a camera.

"Got ya covered." Menoly said, pocketing the camera again.

"Ichigo, if you don't need me, I'd like to go check on Arupejio's sister, Neko. Maybe she knows where he is. At the very least, I can tell her that he's missing." Rukia said as Ichigo nodded.

"I'm not going anywhere. I would come along with you but General Yamamoto wants all Captains to remain in the Seireitei while the Arrancar are here." Ichigo said as Rukia nodded.

"Okay then. I'll see you in a while. Nel, if I don't see you before you leave, good luck out there." Rukia said as Nel nodded appreciatively.

"Thank you Rukia. Good luck to you too." Nel said as Rukia disappeared in a flash step.



Meanwhile…

In the Zaine District, bathed in the orange glow of the setting sun, a figure in a tattered gray cloak walked silently through the marketplace. Some of the shops were closing but there were some that were still open. The figure looked around silently as he walked the streets until he finally saw a slightly burnt old tea shop. It was a two story building with a single chimney at the front. A small stone fence with an opening at the front had a couple of outside tables enclosed within. The figure smiled as he sensed a familiar spiritual pressure within. He calmly walked towards the door. When he arrived inside he saw who he was looking for…a young woman, about the apparent physical age of thirteen or fourteen, wiping down a wooden table with an old rag.

Her long dark purple hair was worn down, around her shoulders. She wore a rose colored kimono, with a green obi sash. The figure knocked gingerly on the doorframe, catching the young girl's attention. She had a pair of beautiful gray eyes on her face.

"Oh hello. I'm sorry but I'm afraid we're closed for the day." The girl said as the figure walked into the room and sat down at one of the tables.

"I heard once that this is the only place in forty districts where you could find ginseng tea. I'll pay you well for a cup." The figure said as the girl sighed and complied. She walked into the kitchen area and poured a small cup of tea, placing it on a small tray and bringing it out to the man.

"Here you go sir." The girl said as the man took a sip and gave a delighted Mmm.

"It's been so long since I've tasted tea this good. Leona taught you very well Neko." The figure said as the girl looked at him startled.

"How do you know my name?" the girl asked as the figure laughed. He then reached for his hood and pulled it back, causing Neko to gasp in shock.

"Hey there sis, long time no see." Arupejio said with a smile. Instantly Neko squealed with glee and threw her arms around the elder man.

"Hey-hey it's good to see you too." Arupejio laughed as he hugged her back.

"Zaine! It feels like it's been years since I saw you. Last time we were together was…was for mom and dad's funeral right?" Neko asked with a somber expression as Arupejio nodded.

"Yeah. It was. But that's why I'm here. I've made some discoveries about myself Neko. Remember that vow I told you about after the funeral? The vow that I would find out who my real parents were?" Arupejio asked as Neko nodded.

"Well I've half succeeded. I found my real father, and he told me my true name." Arupejio said as Neko's eyes lit up.

"Really? What is it? Who's your dad? When can I meet him? Where is he? What does he do?" Neko asked excitedly, causing Arupejio to laugh.

"Calm down sis, you're making my ears ring!" Arupejio said as Neko sat down, vibrating with excitement…literally.

"Now look. What I'm about to tell you might shock you…on second thought I know it's going to shock you. You've undoubtedly heard about the betrayal by three of the Captains in the Seireitei right?" Arupejio asked as Neko nodded.

"One of them is your dad aren't they?" Neko asked as Arupejio sighed and nodded.

"Yes…one of them is." Arupejio said as Neko fell silent.

"Well…it doesn't matter. We're family Zaine, and family sticks together. I know you haven't been around much but that's okay. I know that you've been busy being a Soul Reaper and such and that's where you belong. In fact you're not the only one who's made a discovery about themselves." Neko said as Arupejio looked at her confused.

"What are you talking about?" Arupejio asked. Neko immediately smiled from ear to ear.

"Wait here, I'll be right back." Neko said as she ran up the stairs where the bedrooms were. She returned a moment later with what appeared to be a slightly curved purple stick, but upon closer inspection, it was actually a Zanpakuto in its sheath. The guard was shaped similarly to Rangiku's Haineko, but more curved than pointed. The "ears" were also hollowed out, so that the sword could be pulled from its sheath by the fingers slipped through the guard. The hilt and sheath were both a nice shade of violet and there was a small purple tassel at the bottom of the hilt as well.

"Neko?! Is that what I think it is?!" Arupejio asked as Neko handed him the sheath.

"Uh huh, it's my sword. I meant to show you when you were here for mom and dad's funeral but I forgot. I remember you saying one day when you were visiting, that these swords have names and have a unique power to each of them. I don't know how you find out the name though." Neko said as Arupejio held the sword in his hand, examining it carefully.

"How long have you had this?" Arupejio asked as Neko shrugged.

"I dunno, I guess a few months after you left to become a Soul Reaper." Neko replied.

"That was…that was years ago Neko! You've had a Zanpakuto this whole time and never told me?! Did Tseng and Leona know?!" Arupejio asked as Neko nodded.

"Yeah, they even said that I should go to the academy too, but I didn't want to leave them yet. I was too afraid. I know you would have protected me but I didn't want to be a burden." Neko explained as Arupejio chuckled caringly.

"Neko you will never be a burden on me. In fact I came here to see if you would be willing to come with me. To come with me to a place where you can learn to use your Zanpakuto. But be warned, if you follow me, the Soul Society will deem you as a traitor and the Soul Reapers will hunt you down." Arupejio said as Neko gulped slightly.

"I don't care Arupejio. You're my brother, even if you were adopted. Family is family, and family sticks together, no matter what. Even if Captain Aizen's your dad I'll stick with you…Aizen's your dad isn't he?" Neko asked as Arupejio nodded.

"My name is Arupejio Aizen." Arupejio said as Neko took a deep breath.

"Well…okay. It doesn't matter. I can't run this place on my own. I can hardly make the correct change. Luckily my only saving grace is my skill at making tea, my youth, and the fact I have a sword. But this place was my home. One day I'll come back and I'll continue the business a little wiser. You might or might not be there too but I'll understand either way." Neko said as Arupejio smiled.

"Then let's get you packed. We don't have much time. My father's waiting for us." Arupejio said as he downed the rest of his tea and they both hurried up stairs. While Neko packed, Arupejio decided to check his old room. It was a simple room, a bed, a large armoire where his old clothes were stored, and a small foot locker against the foot of the bed. He then noticed something was amiss. On his pillow, was something strange; it was a hairclip, shaped like a Hanashiro flower with six petals. Beneath it was a small folded piece of paper. Arupejio picked up the hairclip and the piece of paper. He unfolded it and realized that it wasn't an ordinary piece of paper; it was a letter…an old letter judging by how the paper had turned yellowish.

The letter read…

"Dear Zaine…

This letter was written so that one day, if we were not around to tell you, to explain why you have this hairclip with this letter. It was used to keep the blankets around you in place when you were left on our doorstep. We do not know its significance other than it rightfully belongs to you. Hopefully one day, you can give it to some nice girl, a girl to whom your heart belongs. It might be a clue to finding your parents and if so, then we hope that it does just that.

We wish you the best of luck with your search.

Love…

Tseng and Leona."

Arupejio smiled as he looked at the hairclip. He had known about the hairclip for years. Tseng and Leona had told him about it before he left for the academy. He didn't take it with him because he figured Neko might want to wear it. Judging by the single strand of purple hair in the clip, she had worn it at least once. But he knew exactly who he wanted to give it to. He immediately headed over to the footlocker and pulled out a few pieces of paper, a jar of ink, and a brush. He immediately started drafting a letter of his own. However he soon sensed a familiar spiritual pressure approaching from the street outside. He quickly started masking his own and continued writing.

Outside, Rukia walked through the empty streets towards the tea shop. When she spotted it, she attempted to try and locate Arupejio's spiritual pressure, but to no avail. Instead she sensed another yet not as strong spiritual pressure from inside the shop. She walked silently up to the front door and knocked on the doorframe.

"Hello? Hello?!" Rukia called, getting no answer. Soon however she felt the spiritual pressure approaching, and soon Neko appeared to greet her.

"Sorry ma'am, the shop is going out of business, today was our last day." Neko said as Rukia smiled down at the girl.

"You're Neko right? Do you remember me?" Rukia asked as Neko cocked her head to one side curiously. Her eyes then lit up in realization.

"Oh yeah, you're Zaine's girlfriend from the academy." Neko said as Rukia sweat dropped. On the floor above, Arupejio, who had been listening in, slapped his forehead.

"I wasn't his girlfriend; I was just one of his fellow students." Rukia replied but Neko smirked as if knowing a secret.

"You sure?" she asked as if attempting to debunk Rukia's denial.

"Quite sure. But I'm here to ask you something. Have you seen Zaine around lately?" Rukia asked as Arupejio paused upstairs. He had finished writing his letter and had placed the hairclip with it. Downstairs, Neko fidgeted nervously. She was a terrible liar which Arupejio and possibly Rukia knew.

"Umm. I don't think so. I mean he might be here, let me go check." Neko said as Arupejio knew he was about to be made and stood up. He then allowed his spiritual pressure to skyrocket like with his battle with Shinji, causing him to start glowing with neon green energy. Rukia and Neko both froze, as they sensed his spiritual pressure. Arupejio leapt from the window and dropped down onto the ground outside the front door.

"Are you looking for someone Rukia?" Arupejio asked as Rukia turned around and saw Zaine in the gray cloak. He had allowed his spiritual pressure to ease off to normal again.

"Arupejio?! Why are you here?! More importantly, how did you even get here?!" Rukia asked as she approached him.

"I'm here for Neko. She's coming with me." Arupejio replied.

"You know that only Soul Reapers are allowed to return to the World of the Living. She can't come with you. What, are you going to introduce her to Orihime? If so then we can bring Orihime here." Rukia said as Arupejio sighed.

"I'm not going back to the World of the Living, Rukia. At least not without orders." Arupejio said, causing Rukia to arch an eyebrow.

"Orders? Orders from who? Captain Ukitake?" Rukia asked as Arupejio shook his head.

"No. From my father." Arupejio said, reaching for his cloak.

"Your…father?!" Rukia asked as Arupejio ripped the cloak from around him, revealing his white clothing and armband.

"That's right, my father. Ex-Captain Sosuke Aizen." Arupejio said as Rukia's eyes widened in shock and horror. Unable to believe that her old friend was the son of the Soul Society's greatest enemy.



End Chapter 29.

I own Neko.